February 11, 2025

TORONTO, ON – Statement from Keanin Loomis, President and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction:

“The President of the United States has signed an Executive Order that will bring unnecessary tariffs of 25 per cent into force on Canadian steel and aluminum products. He has done so while repeating false claims about Canada’s trade deficit with the United States. At the same time, he has indicated enthusiasm for annexing Canada and called our country non-viable without American support. In this context, the federal government needs to show leadership by working with the steel production and steel fabrication industries and other levels of government to put forward a strategy that supports Canada’s steel sector and steel workers to weather this economic storm.

Input costs will rise substantially in our industry due to the President’s action. To date, he has shown no recognition or concern for the economic damage the decision will have in the United States. Canada’s ability to deter the United States is more limited than in 2018 and the stakes are much higher with nearly four years of President Trump’s term in office ahead.

Canadian fabricators have watched on as federal and provincial grants and tax credits have been handed to large multinationals that select international firms to provide steel for publicly supported construction. Billions of dollars have gone to Canada’s competitors around the world, rather than into direct support for Canadian businesses, workers, and families. Canada must urgently implement structural changes to ensure our industry can persist throughout this disruption.”

The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction proposes the following actions be taken by the Government of Canada to protect our domestic industry:

Eliminate the Threat of Dumping to Canada’s Steel Industry

  • Work with industry to ensure countries that have been accused of dumping practices, like China, can no longer undercut the Canadian industry.
  • Implement environmental standards for imported steel that meet or exceed the environmental requirements placed on Canadian steel producers and fabricators.

Ensure Public Infrastructure Projects Require Domestically Procured Products

  • Immediately introduce domestic procurement requirements for publicly funded construction projects that leverage federal funding.
  • The government should encourage private sector projects to use Canadian steel and steel fabricated products.

Invest in New Public Construction and Infrastructure Products

  • The federal government should make significant infrastructure investments to support businesses, provinces, and municipalities that commit to using Canadian steel products on new infrastructure projects.

Diversifying Export Markets

  • The U.S. tariffs on other countries may create export opportunities for Canadian businesses as anticipated retaliatory tariffs are implemented around the world. That is especially true for products that will no longer be cost-competitive for other trading nations to import from the United States.
  • The Canadian Government must act swiftly to identify markets with the greatest needs and establish agreements before other steel-producing countries fill the void.

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About the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction  

Established in 1930, CISC is Canada’s voice for the steel construction industry, promoting dialogue, collaboration and commerce between industry stakeholders. Representing steel manufacturers, fabricators and constructors, engineers and architects, owners and developers, and educators and students, CISC promotes the use and benefits of steel in construction, adds value to the design and construction community and supports the needs of the membership and industry through technical expertise, knowledge transfer, research and development, industry codes and standards, certification, and advocacy.   

Media Contact  

Rita Rahmati 
Director, Communications and Public Affairs 
Rrahmati@cisc-icca.ca | 647-289-9774